Bottom margin control device for typewriters



Dec. 26, 1950 c. Y. LEE ETAL 2,535,539

BOTTOM MARGIN CONTROL DEVICE FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Aug. 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 9 so 33'" l4 2 INVENTORS.

CHIN v/ LEE & QUANG HS/ HU FIG. 2

" ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1950 c. Y. LEE ETAL BOTTOM MARGIN CONTROL DEVICE FOR TYPEWRITERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1949 m m m CH/N Y/ LEE 8c OUAIVG HS/ HU m ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1950 c. Y. LEE ET AL 2,535,539

\ BOTTOM MARGIN CONTROL DEVICE FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Aug. 29, 1949 5 Sheets-Shet 3 IN V EN TORS CH/N V/ LEE & QUANG HS/ -IU K521 Af/ w m ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 26, 1950 BOTTOM MARGIN CONTROL DEVICE FOR TYPEWRITERS Chin Yi Lee and Quang Hsi Hu, New York, N. Y.

Application August 29, 1949, Serial No. 112,944

7 Claims.

This invention relates to .bottom margin control devices for typewriters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bottom margin control device for typewriters wherein the operator can set the bottom margin desired by the adjustment of the device and automatically upon the approach of this margin width a signal will be given to the operator.

.It is another object of the present invention to provide in a bottom .margin control device for typewriters wherein after the signal has been given to the operator that the bottom margin .has been reached, an indication will be made iasxto the number o'flines which can be typed before the actual preset margin which is finally desired is reached and wherein the feed of the paper will be automatically stopped at the last line.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bottom margin control device which can be adapted to any kind of typewriter and can be applied to the typewriter .as an attachment.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide in a bottom margin control device for typewriters a special device wherein the margin can be reset even if the preset margin is being pproached or has been reached.

' rotherobjects of the present invention are to provide a bottom margin control device for .typewriters which .is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy .to install upon the typewriter, has a minimum number of parts, adapted once the same has been set for any number of repeated sheets, does not interfere with the operation .of the typewriter itself, and efficient .in operation.

.For other objects and fora better understanding .of the invention, reference .may be had .to the following detailed description taken in con- .nection with the accompaying drawing, "in which 1 is .a fragmentary top plan view of .a typewriter and of the attachment connected at .one end thereof.

.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the typewriter and of the attachment.

.Fig. 3' is a fragmentary end elevational view of the typewriter and of the attachment.

"Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the typewriter J1: and of the attachment with the paper edge havfing passed the .feeler device to release the parts 10f the attachment and with the indication having been made.

Fig. "5 is an end elevationalview similar to Fig.

2 3 after the paper has been fed through the typewriter a sufficient amount to release the feeler of the attachment and to give the indication that the bottom line has been reached.

,Fig. 6 is a fragmentary and perspective view of the attachment removed from the typewriter.

Fig. '7 is .a perspective view of a cover for the attachment.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken generally on line fi8 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to .the figures, I represents :the typewriter roll forming a part of the typewriter and supported at one end by its shaft extension 2 that extends through the side frame 3 of the typewriter. The shaft 2 has a turning knob 2a. In rear of the typewriter roll I is the usual chute 4. In front of theroll l is the usual vpressroll, type 6 and guide rule '1.

The paper, as indicated at 8, is supported on the paper chute 4 and can be turned over the roll 5 upon the turning of the knob 2a orby the usual spacing device of the typewriter, not

shown.

The control device, which is an attachment for any kind of typewriter, includes a frame 9 adapted to be secured by its flanges 9a and screws Sc to the side frame 3 of the typewriter. This frame 9 has a closed outer end 9d and a transversely extending member la. The frame 9 is of U-shape and the member It extends between the legs thereof.

On the typewriter roll shaft 2 there is fixed a pinion H by means of a set screw Ha. This pinion is adapted to receive a large gear [2 upon the same being moved inwardly from its normal position within an indicating disc E3. on the disc 3 is an abutment or stop pin 54, the function of which to be later described. The end portion 9d of the frame 9 has a pointer l5 fixed to its upper edge to indicate the readings of the typewritten lines which are found on disc 13.

The gear I?! is rotatably supported on the shaft it which slides through opening Illa in the transverse member H]. The shaft l6 has a fixed sleeve H on which the disc 13 is ,journalled.

The shaft !6 has a radially extending arm 1.6a lying inwardly of the member w of the frame 9.

Angularly adjustable upon the shaft I6 is an adjusting lever 58 having a pointer I81) and 'a projection i8c adapted to register in any one of a series of notches I 0b on the upper edge of the transverse frame member H). The functionof this adjusting lever will be later described.

A. scale arm 53 extends upwardly rearwardly from the frame and generally parallel to removed from the typewriter.

v26. ing screw so as to hold the slide 22 in its adjusted use. parts pivoted together at 19d and the outer part can be folded forwardly over the inner part when the paper support 4 of the typewriter. This scale arm is of square section except for its lower end which is journalled in a supporting sleeve 26 carried by a bracket 2| fixed to the transverse member 10. On the lower end of the shaft I9 is a yoke lea which receives the radially extending arm Ilia of the shaft l5. Extending downwardly from the yoke lea is a bell striker 5%.

On the scale arm l9 are distance indications [9c and a slide 22 having a handle 23. A spring 24' is connected between the arm [9 and the sleeve bearing 2!! and normally urges the rotation of the scale arm I!) in a, counter-clockwise direction. The slide 22 has a long finger arm 25 extending toward the paper 8. Fixed to the chute or paper support of the typewriter and extending upwardly therefrom is a paper support extension 26 which extends upwardly from a horizontally extending member 21 which is fixed to the upper edge of the typewriter paper support 5.

Connected between the stop projection It on the disc I3 and the frame 9 is a tension spring 28 tending to retain the disc l3 and the gear E? at the starting position and to return the same to the starting position when the paper sheet is This spring 28 is stretched over a plate 29 extending from the end portion lid of the frame. A signal bell as is mounted on the transverse plate or member. The

projection M comes to rest to prevent further movement of the typewriter roll when engagement is had with the stop projection l8a on the adjusting lever Hi. The stop projection it is .held by the action of the spring 23 in its at rest position by the stop projection 33 extending from the transverse member [0, Fig. 2.

top of the frame 9.

In operation, the paper '8 is inserted in the machine. Its bottom edge will rest upon the support arm 26 when the support arm 25 is extended in the manner as shown. At times when the control device is not in use, the support arm can vbe pivoted to a down position parallel to the member upon which it is pivoted, the member 21 being fastened by rivets to the paper supper i of the typewriter. The slide 22 is adjusted along the scale arm to the proper scale marking and to the desired bottom margin wanted for the paper sheet 8. The scale markings on the scale arm are preferably at one-half inch distances. .The scale arm i9 can be pivoted so that the finger 25 will be rested on the top face of the paper at a location adjacent to the extended support arm The handle 23 is in the form of an adjustposition. The finger 25 will be held in place upon the face of the paper by the torsion spring it. The bearing sleeve 29 is pivotally connected to the bracket 21 and can be folded downwardly to a horizontal position to save space when not in Also, the scale arm is is formed in two not in use.

As the typing continues, the bottom edge of the 7 paper sheet 8 reaches a point so that the finger 25 drops downwardly. This causes the scale arm If! to turn by gravity and by the torsional force of the spring 2 The shaft 16 is pulled inwardly by the yoke its and. to the left as viewed in the figures. The shaft will be stopped in its inward movement when the end collar formation engages the collar 32 on the end portion of the frame 9. The pinion it will then be engaged by the gear !2. Through the projection i l the disc 53 hearing the line indications will be turned as the typewriter roll 5 is advanced with the paper. The shaft iii is axially adjustable through the frame ii, but is kept from turning by a key formation lilo on the transverse frame member Th indicator disc i3 is locked against longitudh nal vmovement with the shaft and gear by the collar 32. The adjusting lever it locked against movement on the shaft by the transverse. member ill and bracket Hid, but can be angularly adjusted on the shaft iii. The pointer l5 will show the starting point of the indicating disc l3 at the moment that the finger 25 drops from the paper. From this moment, the pointer i5 will indicate the number of lines which can be typed before the present margin is reached. At the starting position, the figure on the disc 53 opposite pointer 55 will indicate the number of lines or inches which can be typed on the length of paper between type 6 and the edge of member 2'! of the paper support or of the chute l of the typewriter, such distance being indicated generally on the paper sheet between large letters A B, Fig. 3. As the yoke lea turns, the bell striker I912 will strike the signal bell to give an indication to the operator that the finger 25 has dropped from the paper and to take note of the line indications on the indicator disc l3. The indicator disc 53 will turn and the number of lines left to be typed will be indicated as the typewriter roll and the paper sheet are advanced. The distance A to B on the paper sheet constant for any particular make of machine and the number of lines which can be typed is fixed. The indicator disc may also hear inch indications and these indications may be of different color. The indicator disc can be used to measure oil blank spaces for inserting diagrams or other data between typed lines. The end of finger 25 is very close to extension This device will function properly on any kind of thin paper.

As the typing continues, the gears and the indicator disc l3 turn until the stop pin l4 engages projection its on the adjusting lever l8. At this time, the last line to be typed has reached the preset bottom margin, The typewriter roll can no longer be turned to feed the paper sheet. The stop pin M is fastened to indicator disc l3 and goes through a hole on gear 12. The engagement of the stop pin M with the adjusting lever is shown clearly in Fig. 5 and the sprin 28 will have been stretched about the plate 29. At this time, if the operator desires to type a few more lines, she may reset the adjusting lever H3 in a plus notch lfib, Fig. 6, on the transverse member Ill. The projection I is adjustable on the lever 8 for engagement with the different notches Hlb. Thereafter, the adjusting lever 18 can be returned to the zero position.

After the preset margin has been reached, the paper can be removed either by pushing the paper release lever or by turning the roll I after a slight push on the handle 23 of the slide 22 to rotate the scale arm IE to move the shaft l6 outwardly-and to disengage the gears H and I2, The spring 28 will return the indicator disc and gear !2 to their initial positions. The stop projection I 4 will ases-sac 5 home "rest against "the -stationary stop block 33th the transverse member Ill. When'ano'ther -"sheet' of paper is placed in the machine, the finger '25 will be lifted and rested upon its top surface. shown clearly in Fig. 3, the distance between A, the position of'type and B, the outer edge of Iihember 27, measured. on the paper is fixed for an particular machine. Also the diameter of the typewriterrollis fixed. Therefore. the length of paper fed by each complete turn of the typewriter roll isconstant for any particular machine. Thepinion H and the gear "l2 have 'a fixed numberof teeth, The angular movement of the gear I! and the indicating disc I3 is limited through thestop pin projection l upon engagement with the stop blocks 18a and 33. The arrangement is thatthe gear 52 and indicator disc It will 'i'dtate from its starting position to its end position when the pinion H and the roll I turns to feed ale'n'g'th of paper equal to the distance from nto B thereon. If the finger 25 is set at B, Fig. 3, or at the outer edge of the member 21, the finger will drop from the paper when the bottom edge of the paper reaches the position B. Gear !2 and pinion II will then be engaged. From this point the typewriter roll i can only feed a length of aper equal to the distance between A and B. The Stop pin 14 will then engage the stop prolec'tion 33. As the length of the paper which is n'ifeasured is equal to the distance between A and B, therewill be no margin leftthereon.

' When the finger 255 is adjusted to a position Fig. 3, and away from the edge of the member 21, it will be moved a distance on the paper sheet, as "indicated by the letters'B and C. When the bottom edge of the paper 8 reaches C, the finger drops. The length of the paper left in the machine is equal to the di tance between A and C. The gear !-2 engages with the pinion l! and as the 'roll can be stopped before the projection M reaches the proiection 33, there will be mar in 'left'at the bottom of'the sheet equal to the distancebetweenB and C. When a new margin is desired, the slide 22 is adjusted to the new position. The handle screw 23 is loosened and then when the slide 22 is in the proper posi ion, it is tightened to retain the same on the slide.

The adjusting lever 1 8 can be set to o e side 'or'the other of azerolocation. 'Itis useful after the finger 25 has dropped from the paper. Any "time before the preset margin has been reached on the paper, this margin can be widened or shortened. After the preset margin has been reached, the margin can still be shortened if so desired. If it is desired to leave few lines for '"a' "foot note within the preset margin, the lever 18 "can be set so many lines or no ches to the negative side of t e zero location. Fig. 6. The "typewriter roll will then be stopped so many lines ahead to serve as a warning. At this time, the lever l8 can be set back to the zero r ading. The foot note then can be typed until the preset margin is reached.

'If it is desired to disconnect the operating parts "'o'f'the attachment from the machine, the hook 34 is lifted and the shaft and gear IE will be moved butwardly. The gear !2 will be out of engage- "mentwith the pinion H and the attachment will not function. The collar formation on the end of the sleeve ll will engage the collar 32 in the manner as shown in Fig. 4. The same effect can be had by tilting the supporting arm 25 a little to the right to support the finger 25 in its 'raiised'position.

I In order to reverse the roll to make corrections when typingfther is no extra manipulation to be effect-ed. This "is done as with the ordinary machine. After the bell 3!] rings, the finger '2'5 is-put back on the paper, but before thebell rings, the paper slides under the finger without difficult'y. The cover 3|, Fig. 7, can be placed over the frame "and this cover has an opening '3: which receives the pointer l5. The indications on the disc 13 will be visible through the opening 3H). The slot 3lc receives the adjusting lever l8 and permits its movement over the transverse member ID.

The pinion I! has more teeth than the paper feed. ratchet wheel of thety'pewriter. This will avoid any irregularity of the last line. The length of the paper from A to B is about five inches on the ordinar typewriter. This ismbre than half the typing space of a sheet of paper which is eleven inches long. Within this space "all of the features of measurement can be effected.

When the preset bottom margin has been reached, the operator can type a few more lines by resetting the adjusting lever is as previously explained. There is another way of effecting this same result. After typing the last line, the indicator disc 13 shows that there are zero lines left. By'not'icing the width of the margin which was originally set as'indicated on the scale IS, the operator can refer to the indicator disc to find out how many more lines can be typed within the "margin "which "has been left before the paper will drop off the roll. The operator can push the screw 23 to the right to disengage the pinion and gear and to return the gear'a'nd the indicator to the starting position. After release of the screw from th'ehand, the finger 25, the pinion and gear will be re-engaged. The operator can now proceed to t pe until the paper dro s from the roller if desired.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall 'be'within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: '1. A bottom margin control device "for typewriters compri ing a frame adapted to be conframe and in one position thereof engageable with the small gear on the t pewriter roll extension, a disc indicator interlocked with the 's'hiftable gear "means to operate with the same to give an indication of the number of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shifta'ble gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon thebottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement of the gears with one another and the movementof the indicating disc, said finger engageahle means comprising ;a "scale arm having scale indications thereon to indicate the length of the margin desired at the bottom of the sheet, a slide. 21d: justable upon said scale arm and adapted to be fixed in its adjusted position, and a .finger extending laterally from the slide on the scale arm for engagement/with thepaper "sheet and adapt:- ed to drop downwardl therefrom upon the paper sheet being advanced through "the typewriter.

;-; 2. =A-bottom margin control-devce for typewriters comprising a frame adapted to be connected to the side of a typewriter, a small pinion gear adapted to be connected to the typewriter roll extension, gear means shiftable upon the frame and in one position thereof engageable with the small gear on the typewriter roll extension, a disc indicator interlocked with the shiftable gear means to operate with the same to give an indication of the number of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shiftable gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted'to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon the bottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement 'ofthe gears with one another and the movement of the indicating disc, said finger engageable means comprising a scale arm, a journal bearing rotatably receiving said scale arm, said scale arm being connected with the shiftable gear means, a slide adjustable upon the scale arm to regulate the ,device for the different margin settings, a finger connected to the slide and extending laterally thereof for engagement with the paper sheet in the typewriter, and means for pivotally connecting the bracket to the frame so that the scale arm and finger can be lowered to a horizontal and outof-use position.

. 3..A bottom margin control device for typewriters comprising a frame adapted to be connected to the side of a typewriter, a small pinion gear adapted to be connected to the typewriter 1 roll extension, gear means shiftable upon the frame and in one-position thereofengageable with the small gear on the typewriter roll extension, a side indicator interlocked with the shiftable gear means to operate with the same to give, an indication of the number of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shiftable gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon the bottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement of the gears with one another and the movement of the indicating disc, said finger engageable means comprising a scale arm, a journal bearing rotatably receiving said scale arm, said scale arm being connected with the shiftable gear means, a slide adjustable upon the scale arm to regulate the device for the difierent margin settings, a finger connected to the slide and extending laterally thereof for engagement with the paper sheet in the typewriter, and means for pivotally connecting the bracket to the frame so that the scale arm and finger can be lowered to a horizontal and out-of-use position, said scale arm being formed of two parts pivotally connected together, the outer part being foldable forwardly over the inner part when the device is not' in use.

4. A bottom margin control device for typewriters comprising a frame adapted to be connected to the side of a typewriter, a small pinion gear adapted to be connected to the typewriter roll extension, gear means shiftable upon the frame and in one position thereof engageable with the small gear on the typewriter roll extension, a disc indicator interlocked with the shiftable gear means to operate with the same to give an indication of the number-of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shiftable gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon the bottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement of the gears with one another and the movement of the indicating disc, an attachment comprising an attaching member adapted to be fixed to the paper support of the typewriter and an upwardly and rearwardly extendable paper support arm pivotally connected to said member and adapted to support the paper sheet when extended, said finger means engageable with the paper adjacent said paper supporting arm and to one side thereof so that the finger can move downwardly upon the paper being advanced from beneath the finger means, said paper supporting arm being adjustable to a horizontal position upon the attaching member when the device is out of use.

5. A bottom margin control device for typewriters comprising a frame adapted to be connected to the side of a typewriter, a small pinion gear adapted to be connected to the typewriter roll extension, gear means shiftable upon the frame and in one position thereof engageable with the small gear on the typewriter roll extension, a disc indicator interlocked with the shiftable gear means to operate with the same to give an indication of the number of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shiftable gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon the bottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement of the gears with one another and the movement of the indicating disc, said shiftable gear means comprising a shaft axially adjustable in said frame, a gear fixed to said shaft for engagement with the gear on the typewriter roll extension, a sleeve fixed to the shaft, said indicator disc journalled on said sleeve, and an interlocking projection extending between the disc and the gear and stop means on the frame adapted to be engaged by said interlocking projection to stop the further advance of the typewriter roll when the last line has been reached. 6. A bottom margin control device for type writers comprising a frame adapted to be connected to the side of a typewriter, a small pinion gear adapted to be connected to the typewriter roll extension, gear means shiftable upon the frame and in one position thereof engageable with the small gear on the typewriter roll extension, a disc indicator interlocked with the shiftable gear means to operate with the same to give an indication of the number of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shiftable gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon the bottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement of the gears with one another and the movement of the indicating disc, said shiftable gear having a stop projection extending from the same, an adjusting lever pivoted upon the shiftable means and adjustable between different positions with respect to said frame, said adjusting lever having a stop projection thereupon and adapted to be engaged by the stop projection on said gear whereby to prohibit the further advance of the typewriter roll when the margin distance has been reached upon the paper, said adjusting lever being releasable to permit additional lines or to shorten the margin after the setting has been made by the finger-engaging means.

7. A bottom margin control device for typewriters comprising a frame adapted to be connected to the side of a typewriter, a small pinion gear adapted to be connected to the typewriter roll extension, gear means shiftable upon the frame and in one position thereof engageable with the small gear on the typewriter roll extension, a disc indicator interlocked with the shiftable gear means to operate with the same to give an indication of the number of lines which can be made after a prior signal, and a finger engageable means connected to the frame and to the shiftable gear means to operate the same, said finger engageable means adapted to extend into engagement with the paper sheet within the typewriter and adapted to fall from the same upon the bottom edge of the sheet being reached whereby to cause the engagement of the gears with one another and the movement of the indicating disc, said shiftable gear means including a shaft adjustable through the frame in an axial direction, a gear journalled upon the shaft, a sleeve fixed to the shaft, said sleeve having an enlarged formation on the end thereof externally of the frame, said disc journalled on the sleeve, a collar for holding said sleeve against inward displacement with respect to the frame but permitting axial movement of the shaft through the frame, and releasable means connected to the frame and adapted to engage with the enlarged formation on the sleeve to hold the gear on the shaft out of engagement with the gear on the typewriter roll extension and to permit the use of the typewriter without the bottom margin control device.

CHIN YI LEE.

QUANG HSI HU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 348,511 Buchheit et a1 Aug. 31, 1886 1,053,919 Neidig Feb. 18, 1913 

